FreeplayFreeplay » Categories Archives for Partners http://www.freeplay.net.au Freeplay Independent Games Festival Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:12:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 State of Design – Something From Nothing http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/07/state-of-design-something-from-nothing/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/07/state-of-design-something-from-nothing/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:27:40 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=1597 Over the weekend, we ran a bit of an experiment at the State of Design Festival’s Design:Made:Trade event based on Adam Saltsman’s Idea Bucket Game that he did at Gamecity (thanks to both of them for inspiration and permission).

We ended up with a bucket full of creatures, backdrops, and items – 96 after we scanned them in and cut them out – and on Sunday, John Sietsma and Aaron Styles made two games out of them in 7 hours.

Aaron’s game has the player trying to eat the apples before the other monsters. You can also yell into the microphone to chase the monsters away. Play it here.

John’s game is a single button game with spinning, advancing monsters. Let the green ones out and knock the red ones back. Play it here.

Thanks to everyone for coming along & drawing, to John and Aaron for making the games, and to State of Design for hosting us.

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/07/state-of-design-something-from-nothing/feed/ 0 Extracurricular activities… http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/07/extracurricular-activities/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/07/extracurricular-activities/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 02:32:30 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=1559 As Freeplay rolls ever closer, we’re looking forward to stretching out from our usual home at the State Library and doing some extracurricular events.

Something from Nothing

At this year’s State of Design Festival in Melbourne, we’ll be running a version of Adam Saltsman‘s brilliant Lost Thought project from Gamecity in Nottingham. Full details and booking info is available over on their website along with everything else that’s going on at the city-spanning festival. Entry to our event is free, but you will need to book and print out the confirmation pass to get entry to the Royal Exhibition Building.

The week before…

Pencil in the evenings of August 17th through 19th for some yet-to-be announced Freeplay events designed to be a bit more rambunctions and playful than we think we’d get away with at the library. Keep an eye on the usual channels for announcements.

The months after…

We’re in very early stages of a project that will showcase local games, artwork, and playful experiences in the months after Freeplay. If you’ve already submitted a game for our expo or awards, we’ll be in touch soon to talk about it, but if not, there’s still space available. Check out the details here.

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/07/extracurricular-activities/feed/ 0 The Emerging Writers’ Festival http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/05/the-emerging-writers-festival/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/05/the-emerging-writers-festival/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 00:25:53 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=1514 We’re really excited about working with the Emerging Writers’ Festival this year. Their focus on the process and craft of writing over specific writers and books has been a huge influence on the way we think about programming Freeplay and we jumped at the opportunity to develop some playful storytelling projects with them.

Deliberately lost stories

Everyone has one book – and likely much more – that has affected them in some significant way as a writer or as a reader and we wanted to find a way to share those stories throughout the festival by taking the idea of bookcrossing and adding a social and storytelling spin. To take part, all you have to do is:

  1. Buy a second hand copy of a book that deeply affected you – in whatever way.
  2. Write the story of why it means so much to you somewhere inside. It could be on the back of the cover or in those empty pages at the back or it could be on a completely separate piece of paper that you hide between pages. You can be as anonymous or identifiable as you want.
  3. Download and print out our handy instruction sheet from here
  4. Stick it in your book and leave it somewhere around the festival for someone else to discover

If you find a book, we’d love you to tweet about it with the hashtags #ewfbook #ewf11; email books@emergingwritersfestival.org.au; or drop a note into the mailbox in Rue Bebelons. We’ll collect them all and publish them throughout the festival.

The Space Between

Slightly less rules to get involved – but only because we want to keep some of the surprise.

  1. Check out Broadcastr on your computer or download the app to your smartphone –iPhone, Android.
  2. Enable Geoplay if you’re on your phone or search for Emerging Writers Festival if you’re on the web
  3. Listen to the story as you move through the space and time of the festival – or just surf the snippets online.

The Emerging Writers’ Festival runs from May 26 – June 5th. Check out their full program here.

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/05/the-emerging-writers-festival/feed/ 0 Freeplay and the Emerging Writers’ Festival http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/04/freeplay-and-the-emerging-writers-festival/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/04/freeplay-and-the-emerging-writers-festival/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:41 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=1318 Freeplay isn’t the only festival in Melbourne.  It’s a festival city and throughout the year there’s everything from food to dance, from writing to film, from comedy to design, and from theatre to games.  This obviously means that there’s always something to do if you want to head out into the world, but it also means there’s a big gap between events if you’re waiting for a specific one – like we know you all are for Freeplay.

To rectify this, at least partially, we’ve been talking to other events in Melbourne about ways that we can work together and we’re very happy to announce the first of those partnerships is with the Emerging Writers’ Festival taking place from 26 May to 5 June 2011.

We’ve long been a fan of the EWF and its incredibly hands on approach to writers and writing, and we’re very excited about the playful storytelling work we’ll be doing together. We’re keeping it a surprise for now, but keep an eye on their website for the program – or follow them on twitter and Facebook.

This is the first of a bunch of partnerships and events we’re doing to tide you over until Freeplay. More on those very, very soon as well as our call out for speakers, volunteers, expo projects – and something completely new for 2011. Stay tuned…

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2011/04/freeplay-and-the-emerging-writers-festival/feed/ 0 IGDA Melbourne Chapter http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/10/igda-melbourne-chapter/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/10/igda-melbourne-chapter/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:52:10 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=575 In response to the sad closure of Transmission Games, local games developer and teacher, Mark Flanagan, is re-establishing the local chapter of the IGDA, with the aim of providing long-term support and opportunities.

The IGDA (http://www.igda.org/) is an organisation dedicated to improving developers’ careers and lives through: Community, Professional Development, and Advocacy. It is open to anyone, from students to professional developers, and the Melbourne chapter encourages everyone involved in game development locally to come along and help to build the local community. This first meetup will be a chance to learn how to get involved, to plan for the future, and to have input into what you’d like to see at upcoming get togethers and events.

Freeplay is pleased to support the formation of this new local chapter, and co-director Paul Callaghan will give an overview of alternative funding models and opportunities for indie game developers.

When: Tuesday 10 November 7pm onwards
Where: The Embassy, 1 Queensbridge St Southbank
http://www.clubembassy.com/index.html

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/10/igda-melbourne-chapter/feed/ 0 SYN Media Learning Week http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/syn-media-learning-week-2/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/syn-media-learning-week-2/#comments Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:51:06 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=554 One of our partners, the Student Youth Network, is holding a Media Learning Week from August 24 – 28 at the State Library of Victoria.  Sessions are free, but bookings are essential.

In SYN’s own words:

SYN Media Learning Week is underway next week!!

We will be hosting a week-long series of Free Teacher Professional events at The State Library of Victoria.

One of the highlights of SYN Media Learning Week will be the Keynote Presentation by Mark Pesce.  Known internationally as the man who fused virtual reality with the World Wide Web to invent VRML, Mark Pesce has been exploring the frontiers of media and technology for a quarter of a century.
Mark Pesce will be speaking about the “four domains” of importance to educators in the 21st century: Constructivism, Sharing, Mobile and Digital Citizenship.

This presentation is an amazing opportunity for teachers to experience the knowledge of Mark Pesce in person.

There are still spaces available in this session, Thursday August 27 1:30 – 2:30 pm and it is FREE!

Book online http://www.eventbrite.com/event/373156120 or email training@syn.org.au

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/syn-media-learning-week-2/feed/ 0 iDef http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/idef/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/idef/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:36:30 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=525 One of the supporters of this year’s Freeplay, especially in regards to sourcing equipment for our public expo area, has been iDef, and they’re returning later this year.

The International Digital Entertainment Festival (iDEF) is heading back to Melbourne, Australia in 2009 playing host to a series of events and activities supporting and promoting the exciting and innovative digital world. The festival will include the eGames Expo, Digital Lifestyle Show and Develop ICT Skills and Careers Expo. Featuring leading game publishers and the opportunity to engage with industry representatives iDEF is a great opportunity to gain a greater insight into the world of games and interactive entertainment. For more info check out www.idef.com.au

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/idef/feed/ 0 SYN Media Learning Week http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/syn-media-learning-week/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/syn-media-learning-week/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:14:10 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=475 We’ve recently formed a media partnership with SYN, the Student Youth Network, and they’re running a workshop on Gaming & Learning as part of its Media Learning Week, check out syn.org.au/education for details.

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/08/syn-media-learning-week/feed/ 0 Xperience XBOX at the State Library http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/07/xperience-xbox-at-the-state-library/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/07/xperience-xbox-at-the-state-library/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:47:17 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=364 Our venue partner, the State Library of Victoria, is having a gaming night on Friday 17th July.

Xperience XBOX

FRI 17 JULY, 6.30 – 9PM

Come in and experience some of the best XBOX 360 games with an evening of modern, multiplayer, and online XBOX 360 games, such as Guitar Hero: World Tour, Halo 3, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Street Fighter IV, and Sacred 2. There’ll also be giveaways and opportunities to win major prizes*, including an XBOX 360 & games pack. All funds raised on the night will be going to benefit the Royal Children’s Hospital. So engage with XBOX 360 gaming and help others at the same time! Presented in association with OzBoxLive.

Where: Experimedia at the State Library of Victoria

Cost: FREE [Bookings required] *$5 payable per ticket for the prize raffle

Phone: 03 8664 7099
Email: bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Online (via Eventbrite): http://xperiencexbox.eventbrite.com

]]> http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/07/xperience-xbox-at-the-state-library/feed/ 0 VITTA ICT and Careers Expo http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/06/vitta-ict-and-careers-expo/ http://www.freeplay.net.au/2009/06/vitta-ict-and-careers-expo/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:00:11 +0000 Paul http://www.freeplay.net.au/?p=351 One of the things we’re keen to do with Freeplay is cross-promote events of interest to our audience and make sure there’s an awareness of what’s going on throughout the year.  One of those events is the VITTA ICT week, culminating in their ICT & Careers Expo – where it just so happens I’ll be speaking about my career and the sort of things you can expect to find in the games industry (and spruiking Freeplay).

Did you know that the IT industry is one of the fastest growing career markets in Australia?

Come along and find out more about how you can achieve your career goals at the 2009 ICT & Careers Expo.  From Fashion, to Sport, to Music, to Programming and much more – we have all the answers!

Date: Saturday 1st August
Venue: Melbourne High School, Forrest Hill, South Yarra
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: FREE (Download free tickets from www.ictweek.vitta.org.au to go into the prize draw)
The ICT and Careers Expo is an event designed to give students all the information they need about an exciting and rewarding career in ICT. The Expo will host representatives from a range of industries where ICT plays a vital role. Tertiary institutions will also be on hand to provide information about their wide range of courses in ICT.

In addition to this, there will be a games corner where you can test the latest Nintendo games, presentations from a broad range of industry and tertiary speakers, showbags and prize giveaways including a Nintendo Wii!
For more information about exhibitors and presentations or to download your FREE tickets go to www.ictweek.vitta.org.au

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